India, with Sanju Samson’s match-winning knock, defeated West Indies in the crucial T20 World Cup match.

Kolkata, March 1, 2026: In a thrilling knockout match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India, with the splendid batting of Sanju Samson, defeated the West Indies cricket team by five wickets to storm into the semi-final.

Chasing a stiff target of 197, India got off to a steady start through openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma.

However, Abhishek Sharma departed early for 10 runs with the team score at 29.

Ishan Kishan came in at number three and struck a couple of impressive fours but was dismissed for 10, caught by Shimron Hetmyer off the bowling of Jeson Holder while attempting a pull shot.

Sanju Samson and Surya consolidated the Indian innings after two early wickets:

Captain Surya Kumar Yadav then joined Samson and the duo stitched together a crucial 50-plus partnership to steady the innings.

Suryakumar, however, fell for 18 to Shamar Joseph when India were 99.

Samson anchored the chase with remarkable composure.

Tilak Verma provided vital support with a brisk 27 of 15 balls, easing the pressure with clean hitting on both sides of the wicket before being dismissed by Holder, again caught by Hetmyer at Mid-off.

Hardik Pandya added a quick 17 in 10 deliveries to keep the momentum going.

In the end, it was Sanju Samson who etched his name in history, remaining unbeaten on 97, sealing the victory with a winning shot over mid-on on the second ball of the final over.

India chased down the target to win by five wickets and book a semi-final clash against the England cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on March 5.

It was the highest successful chase by India to defeat the West Indies.

Sanju Samson, for his match-winning knock, was declared the player of the match.

Earlier, West Indies, in the last match of the Super 8 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, India won the toss and elected to field first against the West Indies cricket team.

West Indies scored 195 runs batting first:

West Indies made a steady start despite losing an early opportunity, as skipper Shai Hope and Roston Chase built a solid 68-run partnership for the first wicket during the powerplay.

Hope was dismissed for 32 by Varun Chakravarthy.

Shimron Hetmyer then accelerated the inning with a quickfire 27 of just 12 balls before being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah when the score reached 102.

In the same over, Bumrah struck again to remove Chase for 40 of 26 balls, bringing India back into the contest with two crucial wickets.

Hardik Pandya further tightened India’s grip by dismissing Sherfane Rutherford, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson.

After a brief period of consolidation, Jason Holder and Rovman Powell steadied the innings and then accelerated, stitching together a 76-run unbeaten partnership

The duo took particular advantage of one over from Arshdeep Singh, scoring 24 runs.

Powell scored 34 runs while Holder contributed 37 of 22 deliveries.

Riding on these contributors, the West Indies posted a competitive total of 195 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs.

Also Read: India won the ICC T20 World Cup, beating South Africa by 7 runs.

EOM.